Chapter 112: Butcher, Evil Dao [Seeking monthly tickets]

Mangzhou, Feiyun City.

Flames soared into the sky, and thick smoke obscured the sky.

The once prosperous city, under the iron hooves of the rebel army, had now become a human purgatory.

Rebel soldiers wearing armor stained with blood looted, burned, and killed in the city without restraint.

Regardless of gender or age, whoever they encountered, they would kill.

The streets were full of corpses of fleeing people, blood flowed on the stone slab road, mixed with mud.

Screams and cries filled every corner, and the smell of blood permeated the air.

All the wealth that could be taken away was looted by the rebel army, and what could not be taken away was all burned to the ground.

City Lord's Mansion.

A man wearing black silk, hair rolled up, fixed with a jade hairpin, and with a slender figure, was holding a book, sitting behind a desk, reading quietly.

His face was quite handsome, and his temperament was elegant; looking at the book so quietly, those who didn't know would think he was a Confucian scholar.

In fact, he was the Guangwei General Ma Tong.

Just now, he led people to kill into the City Lord's Mansion, caught several beautiful wives and concubines of the City Lord for a round of lewd pleasure, and then smiled and took a knife to cut them into eight pieces one by one, extremely perverted and cruel.

Behind Ma Tong, two seventh-rank Great Martial Masters stood straight like spears on the left and right.

Beside him, an old man wearing gray clothes sat upright.

This old man was an eighth-rank Great Wu Shi.

Ma Tong read quietly for a while, perhaps finding it uninteresting, then gently set the scroll in his hand onto the desk before him and stood up.

Seeing this, the old man hurriedly stood up as well, stepped forward, and whispered, "Master, scouts have reported that over thirty days ago, the four most powerful factions in Li Cheng fought each other, suffering heavy casualties.

Now, Li Cheng is left with only one eighth-rank Great Wu Shi and a few seventh-rank Great Martial Masters holding the fort, leaving its strength hollow. In this old servant's opinion, it would be better to send Deputy General Ximen with another detachment of troops straight to Li Cheng.

Or, Master, you could personally lead a force straight to Li Cheng, take the city, and then advance side-by-side with Deputy General Ximen from north and south, which would save a lot of time.

Otherwise, if Master keeps attacking cities and seizing land here, you won't be able to get away. Once Grand General Yan Yanfeng breaks through the provincial capital, not only will Master fail to gain any merit, but the greatest spoils will also be snatched away by others."

"You're right! The only truly prosperous place in Mangzhou is Yuan Cang City, and basically all the real treasures and wealth are there; we absolutely cannot let others snatch them first.

Li Cheng is close to the Cangmang Mountains and the journey is long. It has historically been held by Grandmasters, and there are many experts in the city. If they don't surrender, it will still be somewhat difficult to take it by force. I was previously debating whether to attack all the way to Li Cheng or turn back halfway.

After all, Li Cheng is only ignored by the provincial capital because of its proximity to the Cangmang Mountains. In reality, it can barely be considered a major city of Mangzhou and must have quite a few good things. Now that Li Cheng is hollow, I must personally make a trip there," Ma Tong said, his eyes revealing a look of greed.

"It would be best for Master to go personally, and you might as well take Master Wu along. Generally speaking, the cultivation world does not interfere in secular power struggles, but if a cultivator harms innocent people and practices evil arts, once the righteous cultivators find out, it might bring trouble.

There are still cultivators coming and going around the provincial capital. Although this place is considered far from the provincial capital, it is not as far as Li Cheng. Actually, this old servant believes it would be best for Master to sever ties with Master Wu as soon as possible," the gray-clad old man said. When he mentioned Master Wu, a flicker of fear and worry flashed deep in his eyes.

"What you say makes sense. The matter of the Master does indeed require caution; otherwise, once I attract righteous cultivators, I fear even I will be killed.

However, I still need him to help me refine the Innate Purple River Blood Pill to assist me in breaking through to become a tenth-rank Grandmaster, so it is not yet appropriate to sever ties with him," Ma Tong said with a grave expression, nodding.

"This old servant is only worried that he might burn the bridge after crossing it, leaving Master with nothing and causing you to bear a bad reputation for nothing," the old man said, lowering his voice.

"You don't need to worry about that. He has had several dealings with my grandfather in the past and has always kept his word.

Moreover, for him, helping me become a tenth-rank Grandmaster does him no harm.

It's just that one cannot walk by the river without getting one's shoes wet, so if I can become a tenth-rank Grandmaster, I will sever ties with him as soon as possible," Ma Tong said.

"Then this old servant was overthinking it!" the old man said respectfully.

In the City Lord's Mansion, in the courtyard of another residence, a high platform had been built.

On the platform, an incense table was set up, with a pair of green candles as thick as a child's arm lit on both sides, and a gourd was offered in the center of the table.

Twelve banners of various sizes and lengths were erected on the high platform.

In front of the platform, a row of twelve wooden stakes was set up, with a pregnant woman tied to each stake.

Behind the incense table on the platform stood a man wearing a black Daoist robe, with a gaunt face, disheveled hair, and bare feet, holding a peach-wood sword in his hand, dancing with the sword while muttering incantations.

He chanted faster and faster, the wrinkles on his face twisting more and more, becoming increasingly ferocious and terrifying.

Suddenly, he let out a loud shout and pointed the peach-wood sword at one of the pregnant women.

A shadow flew out from the woman's body, clearly in the shape of a fetus.

A green flame erupted from the peach-wood sword, and the shadow was burned into a wisp of green smoke that merged into one of the banners.

Afterward, the Daoist continued to pierce the other pregnant women from a distance with the peach-wood sword.

Twelve wisps of green smoke merged into the twelve banners.

Suddenly, the twelve banners moved without wind.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Mysterious power emanated from the twelve banners, sucking in a large number of wandering ghosts floating above Feiyun City.

The ghosts gathered from all directions, whipping up gusts of ghostly wind.

The Great Martial Masters of the sixth-rank realm guarding the entrance of the residence felt the chill and couldn't help but shrink their heads involuntarily.

The ghosts gathered more and more, even forming clusters of black mist in the courtyard, then slithered into the gourd.

After a long time, the ghostly wind stopped.

The Daoist, looking weary, held up the gourd and shook it, a hint of joy appearing on his face.

Soon, Martial Masters wearing fish-scale iron armor stepped forward, used knives to cut open the pregnant women's bellies, and took out the fetuses inside.

"Master, you've worked hard!" Ma Tong arrived at the high platform at some point and bowed to the Daoist.

"It's not hard work, just each taking what they need," the Daoist said, waving his hand.

"I wonder when my Innate Purple River Blood Pill will be refined?" Ma Tong asked, his gaze glancing at the dead fetuses being carried out, a look of burning cruelty appearing in his eyes.

"It will still take some time!" the Daoist replied indifferently.

"I just received a report from scouts that Li Cheng's strength is hollow, so I plan to leave the main army here and personally lead a surprise force, traveling light, bypassing all cities along the way, to raid Li Cheng," Ma Tong said.

"Li Cheng is not bad, many people and a remote location! If you can slaughter the city, my Ten Thousand Ghost Profound Yin Storm and your Innate Purple River Blood Pill should be refined! Hehe, once I refine the Ten Thousand Ghost Profound Yin Storm, even if I face a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I will have the power to fight!" the Daoist let out a laugh like a night owl.

"Foundation Establishment cultivator!" Ma Tong's heart trembled slightly upon hearing this, a look of awe appearing in his eyes.

He came from Lingzhou and was a Grandmaster General, so he was knowledgeable and had some understanding of the cultivation world.

That was a terrifying existence that even a Grand Grandmaster could not rival! ——

The afterglow of the setting sun gently spilled over Yuncui Mountain and the backyard of the Tenglong Mansion through the evening clouds.

Xia Daoming lay back on an old rattan chair, with Ji Wenyue, whose legs were long and whose figure was becoming increasingly beautiful and moving, sitting beside him.

From time to time, Ji Wenyue picked up a piece of seasonal fruit that had already been cut on the coffee table and gently fed it into Xia Daoming's mouth.

Behind him stood Liu Qiaolian.

At this moment, she was gently kneading his shoulders with her jade hands.

Xia Daoming narrowed his eyes slightly, looking into the distance at the setting sun behind Yuncui Mountain and the evening clouds covering the sky; for a moment, he felt that his life had reached its peak.

He just wanted to lie flat and didn't want to struggle anymore.

"Master, although our immortal cave dwelling is covered by Yuncui Mountain, I have been carefully observing the terrain and spiritual energy flow in this area for the past few days. I fear it is still inevitable that spiritual energy will occasionally leak out, causing a ripple.

If a cultivator happens to pass by at this time, or if a cultivator who understands formations observes this Yuncui Mountain carefully, they might discover a clue.

I could use those few formation flags to cover it up, but I'm afraid that with my formation attainments, I might end up drawing more attention to it and making a mess of things," Liu Qiaolian said softly, following Xia Daoming's gaze as it fell on Yuncui Mountain, hesitating for a moment.

"Sigh, it seems it's still too early to lie flat!" Xia Daoming opened his slightly narrowed eyes and sighed.

Liu Qiaolian, Ji Wenyue, and that group of family members were all personally brought back by Xia Daoming over ten days ago.

In the valley, Xia Daoming witnessed Liu Qiaolian's astonishing talent for formations for the first time.

Without having cultivated immortality and without having formally attended a single formation class, she actually relied on the ancient scroll in her hand and a few formation flags dug up from Gengyun Mountain, and after some pondering and tinkering, she managed to summon clouds and mist to cover the entire valley.

Therefore, Xia Daoming believed deeply in what Liu Qiaolian, this professional, said.

A formation master must first know how to look at the terrain, distinguish the earth's energy, find spiritual veins, and observe celestial phenomena in order to set up formations using celestial phenomena and terrain.

"Uh, Big Brother, if you want to lie flat, just lie flat. Whatever you want to eat, I'll have Xia He and the others make it," Ji Wenyue said, slightly stunned.

"Silly girl, the lying flat I'm talking about isn't that kind of lying flat!" Xia Daoming said, reaching out to touch Ji Wenyue's thigh.

Hmm, very round and very elastic.

"If it's not that kind of lying flat, then... Big Brother, I'm ignoring you!" Ji Wenyue subconsciously glanced at Liu Qiaolian and the bedroom upon hearing this, her face blushing instantly, and she stood up, stomped her feet, and left.

"What kind of temper is this girl throwing!" Xia Daoming said, looking puzzled.

Didn't I just say that this lying flat is not that lying flat? Why throw such a big temper?

And what I said was the truth!

I was having a beautiful dream of lying flat, but Lian'er's words woke me up.

"Master, you really are something. Miss Wenyue specifically put aside her alchemy business to come here to chat with you, personally cut fruit to feed you, and even let you touch her a few times; she has already yielded to you now.

But she is still a maiden and a young lady of a wealthy family after all. You haven't even gone to propose marriage yet, and the sun hasn't even set yet, and you... you're already sighing that it's too early to lie flat... Ah, this servant has overstepped. If Master really wants to now, Lian'er will go prepare the bathwater."

Liu Qiaolian first gave Xia Daoming a reproachful look, then remembered her status and the fact that Xia Daoming seemed to be insatiable these past few times, and she turned red-faced, turning to go to the bedroom to prepare the bathwater.

"Oh my! Can lying flat be interpreted like that?" Xia Daoming was caught between laughter and tears, hurriedly grabbing Liu Qiaolian's jade hand.

"Do I look like the kind of person who is licentious and unrestrained in broad daylight?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Master!" Liu Qiaolian lowered her head, blushing, and did not answer.

Looking at Liu Qiaolian's blushing, appetizing appearance, Xia Daoming helplessly stepped forward and picked her up by the waist.

Anyway, it's already like this; if I don't do it, wouldn't I be taking the blame for nothing!

Just as Xia Daoming picked up Liu Qiaolian, he saw Ji Wenyue walking over in a hurry, accompanied by Ji Yuanzhen.

PS: Today I will add a chapter for the Silver Alliance Leader, so there are three chapters today. To be honest, I've been going to bed after eleven o'clock these past few days and getting up early in the morning, just wanting to update more so everyone can enjoy it! I also ask fellow readers to help by voting and supporting. Thank you.

Thanks to Qiu Zhi Shenguang, Zhong You Shi, Wang Ji Gang, Wan Nian De Deng Dai, Shun Yi Du Zhe, and other fellow readers for their tips.

(End of chapter)